Podcasts about audiences

With three newcomers, an encore, and holdovers, there's a lot to cover this week in the box office. Lauren and Matthew tackle Heart of the Beast, Primetime, and the especially interesting audience breakdown of Forgotten Island, as well as how Avengers: Endgame Encore is setting the scene for Doomsday later in the year.Meanwhile, upcoming titles Digger and Verity look to provide an even wider audience appeal across the box office this weekend; join us Behind the Screens to see how the pre-sales tracking and audiences are shaping up.Topics and times:Fall Summit - 0:51Box office weekend overview - 1:23Heart of the Beast audience analysis - 3:38Heart of the Beast critical and audience sentiment - 6:45Primetime box office and audience analysis - 7:52Robert Pattinson's popularity and performances in 2026 - 11:00Forgotten Island box office opening - 12:11Forgotten Island's audience surprises - 13:21How Forgotten Island could find longevity from word of mouth - 16:19Avengers: Endgame Encore's box office results - 17:03Digger pre-sales tracking and audience - 19:01IMAX's widening genre appeal - 21:59Verity pre-sales tracking and audience - 23:40Next week - 26:32Find us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/vista-group-limited/, and follow lifeatvistagroup on Instagram

This episode of the Armed Forces & Society AI podcast series is a conversational-style AI summary of Anthony King's article entitled, 'The Word of Command: Communication and Cohesion in the Military'. All podcasts, videos, and content listed below are AI-generated adaptations of scholarly articles originally published in Armed Forces & Society. These derivative products are intended solely as supplementary means of engaging with academic research. The content was generated using Google's NotebookLM and does not constitute an authoritative or complete representation of the original article. While care has been taken to reflect the themes and arguments of the source material, AI-generated summaries may contain omissions, simplifications, or inaccuracies. Use the original articles to verify all claims and to cite the work. The AI-generated media is not for citation. Audiences seeking a full, accurate, and nuanced understanding of the research should consult the original published work. The authors have elected to give permission for Armed Forces & Society to derive AI-generated videos and podcasts from their work. Because of the possibility for AI to misconstrue or misrepresent the author's original work, Armed Forces & Society and Sage absolve the authors from all responsibility for the AI-generated statements and inferences. All rights to the original articles and any derivative media are reserved by the authors, Armed Forces & Society, and Sage Publishing.

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledWhat if the best recruiting tool for your auto repair shop is one you're already paying attention to but only using to attract customers?Your marketing does more than explain why people should trust your shop with their vehicles. It also gives potential team members a glimpse into your culture, your work environment, your benefits, and what it might be like to spend their days working with you.In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker and Hannah Cribbs break down how your website, social media, online reviews, and even your company culture can become powerful recruiting tools. They also share the real-world example of Jen Rindflesh at Collinsville Auto Repair in Canton, Connecticut, who needed to fill three positions and worked with the Shop Marketing Pros team to get the right people in front of the right opportunities.From simplifying job listings and highlighting benefits to showcasing your team and creating a careers page that answers the questions potential employees are already asking, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can put to work when your shop needs to hire.And the takeaway is pretty simple: Recruiting isn't just something you do when you're desperate for another technician. It's something you can build into your marketing all year long.Ready to turn your marketing into a recruiting asset? Listen to the full episode and discover how to attract team members who are a great fit for your shop.Show Notes with TimestampsIntroduction to the Episode (00:00:10) Host Kim Walker introduces the episode's topic: using marketing as a recruiting tool, and introduces guest Hannah Cribbs.The Best Recruiting Tool You Already Have (00:01:11) Marketing is not just for customers but also for attracting potential team members by helping them know, like, and trust you.The Constant Need for Technicians (00:02:17) Hannah discusses how frequently auto repair shop clients express the urgent need to fill positions on their teams.Client Success Story Introduction (00:03:44) Introducing Jen Rindflesh from Collinsville, who successfully used marketing strategies to fill three open positions in her shop.The Recruiting Process in Action (00:04:40) Hannah details the team effort to create social posts, job listings, and ads to address Jen's immediate hiring needs.Refining the Job Ads (00:05:53) Jen provided feedback to simplify the language in the job ads and listings, which resulted in attracting better-fit candidates.The Importance of a Strong Careers Page (00:09:46) Discussion on using the shop's website careers page, featuring videos, team culture, and answering potential questions for applicants.Showcasing Shop Culture in Marketing (00:12:38) Using social media to showcase team culture through birthdays, anniversaries, and fun videos helps attract the right people.The Role of Customer and Employee Reviews (00:15:59) Reviews provide an honest look into the shop's atmosphere, helping potential hires understand the work environment before they apply.Highlighting Employee Benefits in Marketing (00:19:04) Benefits like a four-day workweek should be featured everywhere on social media, websites, and in ads to attract candidates.Creating Effective Recruiting Ads (00:20:27) Ads should be simple, eye-catching, and link directly to the careers page to make the application process as easy as possible.The Power of Partnership and Communication (00:22:42) Stressing the importance of communication between the shop owner and their marketing team to refine and improve recruiting efforts.The Strategy of Continuous Recruiting (00:28:26) Shops should always be recruiting, even when there isn't an open position, to build a bench of future candidates.Attracting the Right Person, Not Just a Warm Body (00:30:39) Focusing on clearly defining the ideal candidate's qualities and values to ensure a good fit for the team and culture.Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up (00:35:51) Every marketing touchpoint is an opportunity to attract future team members by consistently showcasing a positive and appealing work environment.How To Get In TouchJoin The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on FacebookMeet The ProsFollow SMP on FacebookFollow SMP on InstagramGet The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing BookEmail Us Podcast Questions or Topics Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Collinsville Auto Repair Careers PageThanks to our Partner, AppFueledAppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download Our Free Mobile Podcast App: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Storytelling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Automotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Quantum Physics and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Victorian Opera brings Benjamin Britten's haunting chamber opera The Turn of the Screw to the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, with Kanen Breen performing the role of Peter Quint. Running from 29 September to 1 October, the production deepens the eerie tension of Henry James's novella through Stuart Maunder's direction and Roger Kirk's atmospheric design. Audiences can expect a taut, unsettling experience shaped by Britten's score and a cast led by Rachelle Durkin and Breen. https://tix.com.au/opera/the-turn-of-the-screw https://www.orchestravictoria.com.au/performances/the-turn-of-the-screw-victorian-opera The post Kanen Breen – September 27th, 2026 appeared first on Sunday Arts Magazine.

El Uno and TraB the Wonder return for Episode 437 of The Straight Dope Show with a heavy-hitting breakdown of modern society and sports. The hosts kick things off by critiquing audiences who expect television reboots to solve real-world political issues, leading into a deep dive on how the internet has completely bastardized the true meaning of "community" compared to real-world neighborhood support. Pivoting to sports, the duo analyzes the media pressure placed on WNBA rookies like Caitlin Clark, the undeniable MVP dominance of A'ja Wilson, and the heartbreaking loyalty of Sacramento Kings fans who constantly watch their team act as a minor league farm system for the rest of the NBA.The episode rounds out with a massive pop culture autopsy, dissecting the upcoming DC Lanterns series, the failure of the Snyderverse's dark Superman, and Marvel's confusing lore. Finally, they tackle the ongoing trademark battle between legendary hip-hop duo Outkast and the knockoff artist Overkast, explaining the strict rules of name and likeness respect in hip-hop culture.00:00:00 - Audiences expecting TV reboots to fix politics and the exhaustion of trying to change people's minds.00:07:30 - The internet's fake definition of "community" versus real-world neighborhood support and the trap of going viral without a plan.00:18:40 - Adopting the Jay-Z survival mindset: focusing on your own family instead of trying to save everyone else.00:24:00 - The WNBA's Unrivaled league roster, A'ja Wilson's dominance, and the media machine setting up rookies like Caitlin Clark for failure.00:48:00 - NBA predictions: LaMelo Ball's unapologetic attitude, Rudy Gobert's terrible hands, and the Timberwolves' 55-win potential.00:55:00 - The tragic loyalty of Sacramento Kings fans, fighting for the play-in tournament, and the Oakland A's abandonment of the Bay Area.01:15:30 - Nerd Culture: Predictions for the DC Lanterns series, Jon Stewart vs. Hal Jordan, and the psychological manipulation of fear.01:29:00 - Comic book movie failures, the disastrous dark tone of Batman vs. Superman, and MCU lore inconsistencies.01:50:00 - The Outkast vs. Overkast trademark lawsuit, SEO hijacking, and the golden rules of claiming a name in hip-hop.

In this episode, we talk with Dionne O'Dell, artistic director of the MSU Sense-Ability Ensemble, about The Sense-Ability Ensemble's Guide to Creating Theatre for Audiences That Are Neurodiverse. Part case study and part practical guide, the book explores how theatre makers can create work with neurodiverse audiences in mind—from sensory engagement, live music, and puppetry to design, storytelling, audience interaction, and performer training. Joining the conversation are Sense-Ability Ensemble founding artists Ryan Duda and Evan Hill Phillips, with actor, writer, director, and arts manager Joel Guzmán moderating. Together, they discuss the ensemble's journey and the process of creating more inclusive, interactive, and accessible theatrical experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveDo you actually know what you'll owe the IRS next spring, or are you just hoping it works out? And if your accountant has been extending your taxes for years, is that actually saving you anything?This week, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, kicks off a two-part series on taxes by tackling the piece most shop owners skip entirely: tax planning. Hunt draws the line between tax preparation (backward-looking, mandatory, and reactive) and tax planning (forward-looking, optional, and the thing that actually keeps you from getting blindsided). He walks through the exact five-minute math he uses to annualize a shop's net income from partial-year numbers, why extending your return "to lower audit risk" is a myth, and the personal-return landmines, like ACA marketplace credits and phased-out child tax credits, that catch shop owners off guard even when the business side looks fine.Whether you've never run a tax estimate in your life or you just want to sanity-check what your accountant is telling you, this episode gives you the framework to stop being surprised every April.What You'll Learn…(02:29) Why this isn't the tax-saving episode you expected(05:00) Tax prep vs. tax planning: it's about timing, not paperwork(05:53) The financial-analysis cycle behind every good tax plan(07:14) Why most shops never build a real tax plan(09:08) Busting the "extending lowers my audit risk" myth(09:57) When it's time to fire your accountant over extensions(11:30) The annual tax planning calendar Hunt runs for clients(15:04) How to annualize your own net income in five minutes(17:09) Red flags: when your numbers swing too high or too low(18:27) The 25% rule for ballparking what you'll owe(19:53) Kids, credits, and the ACA surprise that blindsides shop ownersThanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comGet the FREE 2026 Auto Shop Benchmark Report: https://hubs.ly/Q04j-grh0Download a Copy of My Books Here:Beyond the Bays: A Financial Playbook for Auto Repair Shop OwnersWrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download the ARPN APP for your smartphone and listen to all our network shows: arpn.appRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionAutomotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

This episode of the Armed Forces & Society AI podcast series is a conversational-style AI summary of Guy L. Siebold's article entitled, 'The Essence of Military Group Cohesion'. All podcasts, videos, and content listed below are AI-generated adaptations of scholarly articles originally published in Armed Forces & Society. These derivative products are intended solely as supplementary means of engaging with academic research. The content was generated using Google's NotebookLM and does not constitute an authoritative or complete representation of the original article. While care has been taken to reflect the themes and arguments of the source material, AI-generated summaries may contain omissions, simplifications, or inaccuracies. Use the original articles to verify all claims and to cite the work. The AI-generated media is not for citation. Audiences seeking a full, accurate, and nuanced understanding of the research should consult the original published work. The authors have elected to give permission for Armed Forces & Society to derive AI-generated videos and podcasts from their work. Because of the possibility for AI to misconstrue or misrepresent the author's original work, Armed Forces & Society and Sage absolve the authors from all responsibility for the AI-generated statements and inferences. All rights to the original articles and any derivative media are reserved by the authors, Armed Forces & Society, and Sage Publishing.

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Joe Pulizzi, founder of Content Marketing Institute, author, and creator of The Tilt newsletter. Joe shares his perspective on how individuals and organizations can stand out in an increasingly crowded and AI-driven content landscape. We explore the concept of finding your "tilt," why differentiation and consistency are critical to building trust, and how owning your audience can create long-term resilience. Joe also offers practical insights into collaboration, personal branding, and how tourism leaders can position themselves for what's next. What You Will Learn in This Episode: What Joe Pulizzi means by finding your "tilt" and why it's essential for differentiation  How to identify the intersection between your expertise and your audience's needs  Why consistency is one of the biggest predictors of success in content and audience building How AI is reshaping content creation and what opportunities still exist right now  Why owning your audience (especially through email) is more important than ever  How organizations can build trust by elevating individual voices instead of relying solely on corporate messaging  What role collaboration and strategic partnerships play in amplifying your reach and impact  Finding Your Tilt: The Intersection of Expertise and Need Joe explains that many organizations start their content strategy by focusing on what they want to say or sell, but overlook the importance of differentiation. The concept of "the tilt" challenges leaders to think more strategically about what they want to be known and needed for, and how that aligns with the specific needs of their audience.  He encourages a practical approach: identifying areas of expertise or passion and pairing them with clearly defined audience challenges. This intersection becomes the foundation for meaningful content and messaging. For tourism professionals, this could mean moving beyond broad destination messaging to focus on a distinct, ownable narrative that resonates deeply with a specific audience segment.  Trust, Consistency, and the Power of Owned Audiences A central theme in Joe's perspective is that success in content and audience-building comes down to two things: consistency and trust. Many organizations struggle not because of a lack of ideas, but because they stop showing up. Sustained, valuable content delivered over time is what builds meaningful relationships.  Joe also emphasizes the importance of owning your audience, particularly through email. While social platforms provide reach, they are ultimately rented space. Email, on the other hand, represents a direct, permission-based relationship that organizations control. In an environment where algorithms are constantly changing, this ownership becomes a critical long-term asset for destinations and brands alike.  Human Connection, Collaboration, and the Future of Content As AI continues to transform how content is created and distributed, Joe believes the differentiator will increasingly be human connection. Audiences are drawn to real people, authentic voices, and expertise they can trust. This shift is leading organizations to rethink how they communicate, moving toward a "trust portfolio" made up of multiple individual voices rather than a single corporate channel.  At the same time, Joe reinforces that differentiation does not mean isolation. Strategic collaboration—whether through partnerships, guest content, or shared platforms—can significantly expand reach and credibility. By aligning with others who serve the same audience, organizations can amplify their message while still maintaining a clear and distinct point of view.  Resources: The Tilt: https://www.thetilt.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepulizzi/

Co-hosts Aubrey Paris and Emily Black debate what makes National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets appealing to young and old audiences alike. Is it simply the action-packed nature of the treasure hunt, or is very careful writing (replete with external monologues, audience stand-in characters, and adult humor) the reason for the franchise's intergenerational success? • It's your last chance to register for the fall 2026 National Treasure Hunt Tour in Washington, D.C., happening on Saturday, October 17th. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Xnhd5d3mJLDXqG8J9 • Order our new book, "Riley Poole's Book of Secrets: History for National Treasure Hunters," from Tucker DS Press or on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Riley-Pooles-Secrets-Aubrey-Paris/dp/1959748394/, and leave a rating and review on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246259636-riley-poole-s-book-of-secrets). • Order our first book, "National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy," from Tucker DS Press or on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/National-Treasure-Hunt-Short-Crazy/dp/1959748009. • National Treasure Hunt is available as a video podcast! To watch video versions of this and future episodes, plus supplementary short- and long-form video content, subscribe at www.youtube.com/@NTHuntPodcast. • Join the hunt on X and Instagram using @NTHuntPodcast, and find new episodes of National Treasure Hunt every-other Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. More information about the National Treasure Hunt podcast, walking tour, books, and events can be found at www.nthuntpodcast.com. • To support our show and access even more exclusive National Treasure Hunt content, including bonus episodes, watch parties, and a book club, subscribe to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/NTHuntPodcast, and visit our merch store to find designs that celebrate your love of National Treasure: http://tee.pub/lic/nthuntpodcast.

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledA new auto repair shop opens down the street. Your first reaction might be panic, frustration, or maybe a little bit of, “Seriously? Another one?” But what if competition isn't something to fear? What if it's actually the thing that wakes you up and helps you see your shop with a fresh set of eyes?In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker talks about what happens when a new shop enters your market and why competition can be a powerful motivator instead of an obsession. From dirty windows and tired landscaping to outdated websites and neglected Google Business Profiles, Kim walks through the things shop owners often stop noticing because they're simply too close to the business.You'll hear why your existing shop has advantages a new competitor doesn't, how to improve your physical and digital curb appeal, and why showcasing your team's expertise, community involvement, and customer relationships matters. Kim also shares a practical first-impression audit you can use to identify what needs attention and prioritize the changes that will make the biggest impact.Don't let the new shop down the street own all the excitement. Let it remind you of what makes your shop worth choosing.Listen to the full episode for practical ideas to freshen up your shop, strengthen your marketing, and stay focused on winning your own race.Show Notes with TimestampsIntroduction to the Topic of Competition(00:01:06) The host introduces the episode's theme: how a new auto repair shop in town can be a positive motivator.Observing a Competitor's Reaction(00:03:38) The host shares how an existing shop started sprucing up its appearance after a brand-new competitor opened nearby.Competition as a Mirror(00:05:48) Competition can reveal areas in your own shop that you've stopped noticing, prompting a need for a fresh perspective.Getting a Fresh Look at Your Shop(00:07:08) The host encourages owners to see their shop through a customer's eyes and provides a checklist for first impressions.Highlighting Your Shop's Strengths(00:10:53) Existing shops have an edge with their history, team, and community involvement, which they should actively promote.Auditing Your Digital Curb Appeal(00:12:08) Review your website, social media, and online presence to ensure they don't look tired or outdated.Competition as a Motivator, Not an Obsession(00:13:22) An anecdote about Olympic swimmers illustrates the danger of focusing too much on competitors instead of your own performance.Remind People Why You're Established(00:14:39) Leverage your years of relationships, reputation, and loyal customers to tell your story and reinforce your market position.Competition Raises Industry Standards(00:16:07) When a new shop forces others to improve, it benefits the entire auto repair industry by elevating everyone's game.The First Impression Checklist(00:17:38) A detailed walkthrough of a checklist covering online presence, drive-by appeal, lobby feel, and shop area cleanliness.Prioritizing Improvements(00:22:40) Advice on how to tackle a long list of needed improvements by starting with low-hanging fruit for the biggest impact.How To Get In TouchJoin The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on FacebookMeet The ProsFollow SMP on FacebookFollow SMP on InstagramGet The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing BookEmail Us Podcast Questions or Topics Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)First Impressions ChecklistThanks to our Partner, AppFueledAppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download Our Free Mobile Podcast App: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Storytelling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Automotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Quantum Physics and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Jeremy Bradley, a trained journalist of over 20 years, takes issue with the future of the news business -- and it looks bleak. "I realize the industry has partially done this to itself," he opens. JB talks about the blurring of lines between fact-based journalism and opinion commentary. Just because someone can set up a camera and make a convincing point, doesn't make it factual -- or true. Journalism, for the most part, is outlining who, what, when, where, why and how. "The minute you inject your opinion into the reporting, it taints the story because it's no longer factual. Audiences don't recognize the difference anymore." On the flip side, he says, news personalities want to be social media famous and have cheapened the once-respected craft of journalism. "What do we gain from watching the busty meteorologist put on her makeup and show off her skin-tight dress before today's newscast?"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Villain-Venice-Steampunk-Adventure-Expanded/dp/B0GYVW1ZM3?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE Project Hail Mary is a 2026 science fiction film produced and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and written by Drew Goddard, based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir. It stars Ryan Gosling, who also produced the film, as Ryland Grace, and Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce play supporting roles. The story follows Ryland Grace, a middle school teacher who awakens aboard an interstellar spacecraft with no memory of how he got there. Pre-production began in 2020, before Weir's novel was published. Filming took place throughout 2024 in the United Kingdom, both on location and on sets. All scenes aboard the spacecraft Hail Mary were filmed on a practical set that was constructed for the film. Project Hail Mary premiered in London on March 9, 2026, and was released in the United States by Amazon MGM Studios on March 20, with Sony Pictures Releasing International releasing in other territories. It received positive reviews, with praise for Lord and Miller's direction, Gosling's performance, the character of Rocky, as well as the humor, themes and visuals. It was a commercial success, grossing over $685 million worldwide and becoming the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2026. Plot In the near future, middle school teacher and former molecular biologist Ryland Grace wakes up from an induced coma on the interstellar spacecraft Hail Mary, suffering from amnesia. Grace learns that he is the sole survivor of a three-person crew that was traveling towards the Tau Ceti system, 11.9 light-years from Earth. In a series of flashbacks, Grace recalls that scientists discovered a "Petrova line" of infrared light stretching from the Sun to Venus; an alien microbe in the line, dubbed "astrophage", was proliferating on the Sun's surface, dimming the Sun at a rate that would cause catastrophic global cooling within thirty years. The head of the Petrova Taskforce, Eva Stratt, recruited Grace to study it due to his background in speculative astrobiology. Grace experimented on a sample and discovered that astrophage was composed of unicellular organisms that absorb electromagnetic radiation from the Sun and expel it for propulsion. Grace joined Stratt's Project Hail Mary, an international "long-shot" mission to send a crewed spacecraft to Tau Ceti, the only star in Earth's solar neighborhood not occluded by astrophage. The flight to Tau Ceti would be a suicide mission, as the ship could only carry enough fuel for a one-way trip; any findings would have to return to Earth in smaller space probes. In the present, Grace encounters an alien spacecraft that docks with the Hail Mary. It is made of a solid form of xenon, which Grace dubs "xenonite". The ship's occupant is a rock-like, five-legged alien from Erid, a planet in the 40 Eridani A system. Grace names the alien "Rocky", deduces that Eridians "see" via echolocation, and creates a machine translation system to interpret Rocky's musical language into English. Rocky is a mechanical engineer and the sole survivor of the Eridians' mission to save their own star from astrophage infection. Grace and Rocky agree to work together, and become close friends. As neither can survive in the other's atmosphere, Rocky works aboard the Hail Mary inside a pressurized ball of xenonite. Grace and Rocky study the Petrova line of the planet Tau Ceti e, which Grace names "Adrian",{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/project-hail-mary-ending-explained |title=''Project Hail Mary'' Ending Explained: What happens to Ryland Grace and Rocky, will there be a sequel, and more on Ryan Gosling's new sci-fi movie |last=Power |first=Tom |website=[[TechRadar]] |date=March 20, 2026 |access-date=May 26, 2026 |archive-date=March 21, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321104440/https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/project-hail-mary-ending-explained |url-status=live}}"}},"i":0}}]}">[a] and discovers that the line hosts an entire microbial biosphere. Rocky theorizes that microbial organisms in Adrian's atmosphere are consuming the astrophage, keeping the population in check. Learning that Grace cannot return home, Rocky offers to share some of his own ship's astrophage fuel with the Hail Mary. Grace remembers that an astrophage explosion killed the original crew's science officers. With no time to train replacements, Stratt asked Grace to join the mission. During a risky maneuver to gather the astrophage predator from Adrian's atmosphere, a fuel leak causes the Hail Mary to spin uncontrollably, rendering Grace unconscious. Rocky breaks out of his ball to save Grace but is severely injured. While Rocky recovers, Grace studies the captured astrophage predator, dubbing it "taumoeba"[b] and selectively breeding it to survive the nitrogen in Venus's atmosphere. Rocky revives, and the two celebrate their success; Grace recalls that he fearfully refused to join the Hail Mary crew, but Stratt had him drugged and put aboard the ship anyway, believing he was the only one capable of completing the mission. Rocky and Grace say their goodbyes and begin their journeys back home. Shortly thereafter, Grace discovers that the taumoeba has evolved to escape its xenonite breeding tanks and is starting to consume Hail Mary's astrophage fuel. Grace stops the taumoeba leak, but realizes that Rocky's ship, being entirely made of xenonite, will have no way to contain the taumoeba; it will eat all of Rocky's fuel, stranding him and dooming Erid. Grace decides to use his remaining fuel to rescue Rocky and the Eridians rather than return home, and sends his video logs and taumoeba samples to Earth via the probes. Stratt and her team receive the probes and use the taumoeba to cure the Sun's astrophage infection. Meanwhile, on Erid, Grace lives in an Earth-like biodome the Eridians have constructed for him. Rocky informs him that Eridian scientists can prepare the Hail Mary for the return voyage to Earth. Grace ponders the news before beginning another day of teaching science to eager Eridian children. Cast Ryan Gosling, who portrays Dr. Ryland Grace, also served as a producer on the film Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher and former molecular biologist on a mission to save humanity[7] Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt, the head of the international task force behind Project Hail Mary[8] James Ortiz as Rocky, an alien Grace encounters on his journey.[9] The character was effected through a puppet controlled by a team of five puppeteers led by Ortiz, dubbed the "Rockyteers", with Ortiz also providing the artificial voice assigned to him[10] Ortiz also has an uncredited role as a television presenter[11] Lionel Boyce as Carl, a member of security personnel Ken Leung as Yao Li-Jie, the Chinese commander of the Hail Mary spacecraft Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilyukhina, a Russian engineer on board the Hail Mary Priya Kansara as the voice of Mary, the Hail Mary's onboard computer[9] Malachi Kirby as Martin Dubois, the original scientist of the Hail Mary[12] Liz Kingsman as Annie Shapiro, a backup scientist of the Hail Mary Mia Soteriou as Dr. Browne Orion Lee as Dr. Li Michelle Greenidge as Chimamanda Additionally, Eunice Huthart (the film's stunt coordinator), Damien de Froberville (co-president of Sony Pictures Animation), Ray Porter (the audiobook narrator), and Meryl Streep provided the rejected alternative voices for Rocky.[13][14] Production Development In March 2020, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was nearing a deal to acquire adaptation rights to the then-upcoming Andy Weir novel Project Hail Mary (2021), with Ryan Gosling set to star in and produce the film.[7] The rights for the novel were acquired for $3 million.[15] In May 2020, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were hired to direct and produce the film.[16] Due to Lord and Miller being unable to work on the screenplay because of commitments to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), Drew Goddard (who previously adapted Weir's 2011 novel The Martian into a 2015 film) was hired the following month to write the screenplay.[17][18] In April 2024, Amazon, which acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2022,[19] revealed a possible 2026 release window for the film.[20] In May 2024, Sandra Hüller joined the cast, with Greig Fraser hired as cinematographer.[8] Milana Vayntrub joined the cast the following month.[21] Filming The film's crew, actors Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, writer Drew Goddard, author/producer Andy Weir, and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller visiting NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on February 25, 2026 Principal photography began on June 3, 2024, in the United Kingdom and wrapped on October 26, 2024.[22][23] Filming took place at Shepperton Studios.[24] Location filming occurred at The Hemel Hempstead School, the South Parade Pier in Portsmouth,[25] the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory in Cambridge,[26] and Durdle Door and Man o' War Cove in Dorset.[27][28][29] The film was "filmed for IMAX" by using large-sensor Arri Alexa 65 cameras, which provide 6.5K (20 MP) of resolution, with an aspect ratio of 2.1:1,[30] utilizing the whole sensor with anamorphic lenses rotated by 90 degrees to achieve the IMAX standard 1.43:1 aspect ratio. For regular presentations, the common 2:1 format (Univisium) was derived by cropping the top and bottom of the IMAX image. The film switches between taller and wider aspect ratios. When a scene takes place in the present, a taller aspect ratio is used—1.43:1 for IMAX 15/70 mm or Dual Laser, 1.85:1 for Xenon or Single Laser, and 2.00:1 for non-IMAX presentations. For scenes in the past, an aspect ratio of 2.39:1, a standard ratio for anamorphic process cinematography, was achieved with the regular use of anamorphic lenses.[31] In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Miller mentioned that no chroma keying was used in the film, with the entire set being shot practically.[32] Fraser had previously collaborated with visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert on the Dune films; their disdain for green and blue screens, which impacts lighting and visuals through color spill, led them to use blackouts and grey screens on the film instead.[33] Miller had previously stated that VFX was used to depict the spaceship from the outside, while shots of Gosling in space were shot against a black or varying color backdrop.[34] NASA provided support through both the input of scientific experts and astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren visiting Gosling during filming to share insights on human spaceflight.[35] Post-production The visual effects were developed by Framestore (which also collaborated on the film adaptation of The Martian),[36] Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, BUF and Wylie Co. VFX, with Mags Sarnowska serving as visual effects supervisor alongside Lambert.[37] While puppeteer Ortiz voiced Rocky during filming with Gosling, it was initially thought that a more high-profile actor would replace him. However, Lord and Miller felt that Ortiz's performance could not be improved upon during screenings of the film.[38] Lord praised the collaboration between practical and visual effects in the creation of the character Rocky's performance: Rocky was built and designed by the legendary Neal Scanlan and his creature shop and is performed by puppeteering legend James Ortiz and his team, who were on set with Ryan in every scene. Rocky's performance is a beautiful collaboration between James and the other Rockyteers on set and the wonderful animators at Framestore led by the funny soulful Arslan Elver.[39] Miller noted that by the end of the film shots with Rocky were about 50% VFX animation and 50% puppetry.[40] The digitally shot and produced film was transferred to film stock and then re-digitized to achieve the "warmth" of analog film.[31] The initial test screening of the film was 3 hours and 45 minutes long, and was cut down to the final length due to feedback from the screenings.[41] Joel Negron served as film editor.[42] Music Main article: Project Hail Mary (soundtrack) It was announced at San Diego Comic-Con that Daniel Pemberton would score the film. Pemberton worked with Lord and Miller on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and its 2023 sequel, which they produced. This is the first film directed by Lord and Miller to not be scored by Mark Mothersbaugh.[43] The score, consisting of 38 tracks, was released digitally on March 20, 2026.[44] The film also includes fourteen other songs, including "Sign of the Times" by Harry Styles, "Two of Us" by the Beatles, "Rainbows" by Dennis Wilson and "Gracias a la vida" sung by Mercedes Sosa.[45] Marketing The film's title on the marquee of Moreland Theater in Portland, Oregon in March 2026 The first trailer was released on June 30, 2025.[46] It was the most-viewed trailer for any original film in the first week of its release, accumulating 400 million views globally.[47] Lego released a model of the Hail Mary spacecraft on March 1, 2026, as part of the Lego Icons series.[48] Release Theatrical Project Hail Mary was released on March 20, 2026, in 4,007 theaters by Amazon MGM Studios in the United States and Canada, and Sony Pictures Releasing International in all other territories.[5] It was also released in select IMAX theaters, with a 1.43:1 aspect ratio.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Ryan Gosling, Lord & Miller Amazon MGM Studios Space Adventure ''Project Hail Mary'' Sets Launch for Spring 2026 |date=April 18, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/ryan-gosling-project-hail-mary-release-date-1235889844/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419002823/https://deadline.com/2024/04/ryan-gosling-project-hail-mary-release-date-1235889844/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Amazon MGM Studios & Sony Pictures Ink Multi-Year International Theatrical Distribution Deal |date=June 27, 2025 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |url=https://deadline.com/2025/06/amazon-mgm-studios-sony-international-distribution-1236444141/ |access-date=July 1, 2025 |archive-date=June 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250627130223/https://deadline.com/2025/06/amazon-mgm-studios-sony-international-distribution-1236444141/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Jeremy |date=June 30, 2025 |title=''Project Hail Mary'' Film Adaptation Looks Like a Visual Feast |url=https://petapixel.com/2025/06/30/project-hail-mary-film-adaptation-looks-like-a-visual-feast/ |access-date=July 1, 2025 |website=[[PetaPixel]] |archive-date=July 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250712225014/https://petapixel.com/2025/06/30/project-hail-mary-film-adaptation-looks-like-a-visual-feast/ |url-status=live |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Anny |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Everything to know about ''Project Hail Mary'', coming soon from Amazon MGM Studios |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/project-hail-mary-ryan-gosling-amazon-mgm-studios |access-date=December 31, 2025 |publisher=About Amazon |language=en-US}}"}},"i":0}}]}">[c] Home media The film was released on digital streaming platforms on May 12, 2026.[53] It began streaming on the MGM+ subscription streaming service and Prime Video on June 18 and July 3, respectively.[54][55][56] It was also released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on August 11, 2026, by Alliance Entertainment.[57] Following the standard disc release will be an Amazon exclusive three-disc SteelBook gift set, scheduled for October 13.[57] It will include a third disc with the film in its full 1.43:1 IMAX ratio, plus additional bonus material and a collectible booklet.[citation needed] Reception Box office As of September 11, 2026 Project Hail Mary has grossed $344.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $341.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $685.3 million.[4][5] In the United States and Canada, Project Hail Mary was released on March 20, 2026, and was projected to gross $63–65 million in North America from 4,007 theaters in its opening weekend.[58] Initially, publications estimated that the film would gross $45–55 million.[59] After grossing $31 million on opening day, including $12 million in previews, the film debuted to $80.6 million in the United States and Canada,[60] and $60.4 million overseas for a worldwide total of $141 million,[61] becoming Amazon MGM Studios' biggest debut to date.[60] In its second weekend, the film made $54.1 million (a drop of 32.8%), remaining in first.[62] It was surpassed by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in its third weekend, grossing $31.7 million.[63] In Japan, the film became the highest-grossing foreign film of 2026 in terms of box office revenue attendance on its first day of release.[64] Critical response The performances of Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, and James Ortiz were praised by critics On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 430 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "A visually dazzling space odyssey that's carried along effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most winning, Project Hail Mary is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart."[65] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 60 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[66] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an "A" on an A+ to F scale.[67] The film received an average rating of 8 out of 10 from Cine21.[68] G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle deemed it "a masterpiece of a family popcorn movie, with eye-popping hand-crafted production design and outstanding creature design and puppetry work."[69] Randy Myers of The Mercury News gave the film a 3.5/4 rating, writing: "While you can't help but marvel at the visuals and applaud the commitment of Gosling's endearing performance, what also makes Project Hail Mary so gosh darn lovable is that it imbues us with child-like wonder from scenes that pay homage to such classics as E.T., Flight of the Navigator and, yes, Rocky."[70] Cosplay of Ryland Grace with a fan-created Rocky prop at NärCon 2026 Robbie Collin of The Telegraph concluded in his review: "Does it have many original ideas of its own? Perhaps not. But its greatest hits mixtape of other people's has been compiled with such flair – as well as a sound comprehension of why they worked so well the first time – that it's hard not to be swept up regardless."[71] Barry Hertz of The Globe and Mail shared a similar opinion, writing: "At almost every turn, Project Hail Mary attempts to convince you that it is groundbreaking, innovative filmmaking. But in actuality, the movie lands as a grand act of cinematic recycling – the fusing together of familiar, comforting bits and pieces into something determined to please crowds and warm hearts."[72] Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "While Stanley Kubrick's unsentimental 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired the iPad, Lord and Miller want to inspire a better version of us."[73] Brian Truitt of USA Today gave the film a four out of four rating, writing that "Project Hail Mary is one of those old-school popcorn movies with big ideas, the kind of film that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas would have made back in the day and kids of all ages would have obsessed over and bought the toys."[74] Ryan Cooper of The American Prospect wrote that the film portrayed a "shockingly realistic view of heroism" and was "one of the rare films that is quite a bit better than the book".[75] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote: "Gosling is an effortlessly charming screen player, and he keeps it watchable, though the film itself has moments of dullness and a sort of puppyish silliness [...] Perhaps refreshingly, the film doesn't aim for the stunned awe and rapture of, say, Christopher Nolan's Interstellar or even Jon Spaihts' underrated Passengers, but it does have the classic sci-fi spacecraft tropes: the huge, mysterious architecture with its vertiginous tunnels in which legacy pop music is played to soothe the inhabitants."[76] GVSU anthropology professor Deana L. Weibel praised Grace's intellectual humility in the film.[77] Nicholas Barber of the BBC declared it one of the best films of 2026, writing: Project Hail Mary is an unusual science-fiction blockbuster in that it's mostly about people using their brains to solve problems [...] Does that approach sound a bit dry and academic? If so, rest assured that Project Hail Mary is touching and inspiring – and surprisingly fun [...] it's directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who take a complicated, potentially bleak narrative and make it as fast-paced and cheerful as their animated hit The Lego Movie. Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling brings all of his goofball charm to the role of an amnesiac biologist who is trying to save the world.[78] Conversely, Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it "not a very good movie", adding that "it's baggy and incredibly derivative of movies you've seen before [...] More crucially, everything to do with the onboard alien is far too cute and formulaic".[79]

Episode Summary Kaitlin McCready calls it 'many lives of communications',  a career that has moved through corporate tech, the MTA in New York City, Jacobs Engineering, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation inside the federal government, and now Communio Strategies, her solo practice that is about one year old. But the through line across all of those chapters is the same problem: the gap between what an organization says and what its audience actually believes, understands, or acts on.  Kaitlin joins Karen and Michelle to talk through how that through line became the foundation of her practice, the WEAVE framework she developed to bring change management discipline into communications work, the 90-day project-based consulting model that is working exceptionally well in the current market, how a relationship with her masseuse led to a county government client through a mayor introduction, and the Substack she started not primarily to grow an audience but to maintain a writing practice and own a topic she had genuinely earned. This is a rich episode for practitioners who want to think more rigorously about what communications is actually for, and for solos about a year in who need to hear that the path from interest to paying client is slower than it looks but more networked than it feels. Episode Highlights [01:52] The Through Line That Connects Many Lives of Communications: Karen asks Kaitlin to name the thread that connects a career that has moved through tech, government, engineering, federal agency work, and now solo practice. Kaitlin's answer is specific and immediate: it's the gap between what an organization says and what its audience is prepared to believe or act on. In tech, the problem was differentiation. How do we stand out when everyone claims to be different? At the MTA, the problem was the opposite, everyone was a customer, but trust was not assumed, and moving millions of people from one belief to a new one and then to action was the whole job. Those two poles of the same problem became the thing she kept working on, and the thing she now builds client engagements around at Communio Strategies. [03:33] What the MTA Unlocked — and the First Thing Kaitlin Did When She Didn't Know the Answer: Michelle asks what the MTA experience unlocked for Kaitlin beyond the scale of the challenge. Kaitlin names a weakness she had to confront: asking for help. She came into the MTA as her first public sector role, hired in part because of her private sector background. But she didn't understand how to navigate city council relationships, how to work with public officials, or how to move a population of millions. Her first move: find people who had already solved a version of the same problem. She located practitioners in London, Sydney, and Los Angeles who had managed high-profile disruptive infrastructure projects, asked them what worked, what didn't, and what they wished they'd known. That body of external knowledge accelerated her onboarding by an order of magnitude and gave her a platform to prioritize immediately. The practical lesson: before you try to figure something out alone, find the person who has already done it. [05:14] The WEAVE Framework: What It Is and Why Communications Without Change Is Just Information: Karen invites Kaitlin to explain WEAVE, the framework she built to integrate change management thinking into communications work. The origin: while leading internal change management at Jacobs Engineering during a major digital transformation, Kaitlin was trained on the Prosci change management philosophy and realized it described everything communicators already do — she just hadn't known it had a name or a structure. The framework runs five elements. W: Why — the organization's origin story and reason for doing the work. E: Edge — what uniquely equips them to do it. A: Attune — aligning the organization's message with the actual beliefs, worldviews, and wants of the audience. V: Viable — how you translate belief into action that is visible and creates momentum. E: Engage — the ongoing, durable relationship that sustains the change beyond the initial campaign. Kaitlin's line that has resonated strongly in recent pitches: communications without change is just information. [10:43] One Year In: What Surprised Her About the Solo Journey: Michelle asks what has genuinely surprised Kaitlin in her first year. Her answer is honest: she thought it would be easier to move people from interest to action. The interest is there, people respond to what she says, they like talking with her, they engage with her thinking. But translating that engagement into paid engagements has been slower and more circuitous than she expected. She names a recent client win as the example that reframed this for her. [11:46] The Masseuse, the Mayor, and the County Contract: Kaitlin traces the origin of a recently won county government contract, working backward through every step that led to it. It started with her masseuse, an entrepreneur who knows Kaitlin's transportation background and introduced her to a client of hers who turned out to be a local mayor. That conversation led to another introduction from the mayor, which led to the client who is now a paying county government account. The lesson she draws is not just the value of networking but the value of showing up consistently, being curious about other people's work, and letting relationships develop without a transactional frame. Karen's footnote: this is also proof that making time for self-care has a professional return. [13:05] The 90-Day Project-Based Consulting Model: Karen asks Kaitlin about the 90-day consulting model she has built and why it works in the current market. Kaitln explains that clients almost always come in with a tactics request, such as get me into the New York Times, get me mentioned in a trade publication. The model starts by walking them back from the tactic to the actual business problem, which requires patience and a particular kind of coaching. From that clarity comes a very specific, focused 90-day plan. Ninety days is enough time to solve a defined problem, get real results, and test the client relationship from both sides, because as Kaitlin notes, solos should be evaluating fit too, not just demonstrating value. It's also short enough that the client doesn't feel they're committing to a large open-ended engagement. And within every organization, Kaitlin says, there is a whole network of partnerships and adjacent problems that 90 days of proximity reveals, creating a natural path to follow-on work and niche development. [17:35] Turning the Practitioner Lens on Yourself: Michelle raises the question that trips up many solos: how do you apply to your own practice the same diagnostic and positioning rigor you apply to clients? Kaitlin was helped by an unusual circumstance — when she left the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, her former colleagues (many of whom were also navigating unexpected career transitions) asked her to help them tell their own career stories. In building a framework to help them identify their unique differentiators, she essentially built the tool she then used on herself. The schema for helping others translated directly into clarity for her own positioning. [21:06] The Substack as Thought Leadership Infrastructure — Not Audience Building: Karen highlights that Kaitlin has built a consistent Substack practice, posting every Tuesday on her newsletter called Trust Issues, which explores how and why ideas and people change, and the role trust plays in that. Kaitlin's framing of why she started it is the part worth listening to: she did not start it primarily to grow an audience. She started it as a forcing function for a weekly writing practice, as a home base for documenting what she knows, and as a way to own a topic she had genuinely earned through a range of experiences, corporate, public sector, federal government, and elected local official. The writing practice has surfaced things she had forgotten she knew and created a body of work that is now generating teaching opportunities with college students. Karen's observation: you picked a topic you were passionate about and had genuine experience in. That's the difference between a Substack that compounds and one that becomes a slog. [24:17] The Alignment Brief — and the Role of Communications as Chief Alignment Officer: Kaitlin describes a tool she developed at Oracle and repurposed at the MTA: the alignment brief. It is essentially a structured questionnaire that gets all the teams working on a project onto the same page about what the product is, what the benefits are, what success looks like, and how it will be visible. She now gives it away for free because people ask for it constantly. She also names a framing she heard on another podcast that resonated: the communicator's role is often chief alignment officer. Getting everyone pointed in the same direction is not adjacent to the comms work.  it is often the precondition for the comms work to do anything. About Kaitlin McCready Kaitlin McCready is the founder of Communio Strategies, a communications consultancy that helps organizations close the gap between what they say and what their audiences believe, understand, and act on. Her career has spanned corporate technology communications at Oracle, public affairs and stakeholder engagement at the MTA's New York City Transit, change management and corporate strategy at Jacobs Engineering, and federal agency work at the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation — where she led communications for EV infrastructure deployment across the US. She is also a local elected official in Northeast Ohio. Kaitlin developed the WEAVE framework to integrate change management discipline into communications planning, and she writes the weekly Substack newsletter Trust Issues, which explores how and why ideas and people change — and the role of trust at every stage. Communio Strategies is approaching its first anniversary.   Website: communiostrategies.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaitlinmccready Substack: Trust Issues   Resources & Additional Information Communio Strategies: communiostrategies.com Trust Issues: Kaitlin's Substack on trust and change.  Prosci: Change Management Certification Program (referenced by Kaitlin) Solo PR Pro membership community: soloprpro.com That Solo Life podcast website: thatsololife.com Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, President of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and practical advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Listen to all episodes and catch up on previous conversations at thatsololife.com. Did this episode inspire you? If you found value in this conversation, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more solo pros just like you! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Your Phone Skills SuckYes, we're talking about phone skills again.Coach Brent and Chris recently discussed a client who wanted to invest more money in marketing to generate five to eight additional cars per week. Before recommending a larger marketing budget, they listened to the shop's phone calls.There was some good news: the service advisors were asking callers to schedule appointments.Unfortunately, almost everything that happened between the phone ringing and that final request was cringeworthy. The advisors were trying to close the sale without first building a relationship, understanding the customer, or communicating the shop's value.The solution wasn't immediately buying more marketing. The shop first needed to do a better job with the opportunities it already had.In this episodeWhy closing the sale begins when the phone ringsHow to build a relationship before asking for the appointmentWhy answering questions isn't the phone call's only purposeHow shops unintentionally turn every call into a price comparisonThe importance of asking good questions and listening carefullyHow to explain diagnostic value without sounding defensiveWhy advisors should offer specific appointment optionsHow phone skills translate into better in-person communicationWhy a higher average repair order can reduce the need for more carsHow to review phone calls without turning the process into punishmentWhy role-playing should happen before advisors speak with real customersHow weak phone skills waste otherwise effective marketingThe real opportunityIf a shop needs only five to eight more vehicles per week, it may not need a dramatic increase in lead volume. It may need to “suck less” at converting the opportunities already coming in.Better phone skills can also produce better conversations at the counter. When advisors listen carefully, ask better questions, explain value, and confidently present recommendations, average repair order could increase by $200 or more—depending on the shop's current performance, inspections, pricing, customer base, and sales process.At 50 repair orders per week, an additional $200 per ticket would represent $10,000 in weekly sales without adding more vehicles to the schedule.This week's challengeListen to five phone calls, including calls that resulted in appointments and calls that did not.Evaluate whether the advisor:Sounded welcomingGot and used the customer's nameAsked relevant questionsAcknowledged the customer's situationExplained the shop's process and valueGuided the conversation confidentlyAsked for the appointmentOffered a specific appointment timeConfirmed the necessary detailsChoose one behavior to improve, practice it with the team, and listen again to measure the progress.Shop Marketing ProsMarketing can make the phone ring, but the shop still has to convert that opportunity.Shop Marketing Pros helps take the guesswork out of marketing for independent auto repair shops by bringing professional experience and strategy to the process. When strong marketing is supported by a well-trained front counter, a shop has a better chance of turning attention into appointments and lasting customer relationships.Autofix Auto Shop Coaching + ADPIf you love Autofix Auto Shop Coaching, check out our partnership with ADP payroll services.Autofix Auto Shop Coaching + ADP — Fill out the form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QMmq5kch3mThe Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/If you would like to join their private Facebook Group, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermindConnect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: chris@autofixsos.comThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionDiagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Welcome to Neph 2 America — your cultural commentary for the end of days. In this episode, Raven, TopLobsta, and special guest Matt Hepner dive into current events, internet culture, faith, politics, and the absurd reality of modern America through the signature Nephilim Death Squad lens. Blending humor, satire, and serious discussion, the crew breaks down cultural trends, media narratives, and the strange social moment we're all living through. From cultural chaos and online discourse to theology, community building, and real-world observations, Neph 2 America delivers unfiltered commentary on the state of modern society — equal parts comedy and critical analysis. If you've ever wondered how faith, culture, and end-times energy collide in real time, this is the conversation.

Bible Old Testament Isaiah 1–12: The Direct Calling of a ProphetIn this lesson, Apostle of Jesus Christ D. Todd Harrison teaches Isaiah 1–12 with unique apostolic authority. The Prophet Isaiah — Apostle D. Todd Harrison's forefather — was called directly by the Lord in the heavenly throne room (Isaiah 6). His prophetic commission did not come from the Presiding High Priest Hilkiah, but from God Himself.Apostle D. Todd Harrison's own calling follows this same ancient pattern: a direct commission from the Lord Jesus Christ, without mortal intermediaries. The same God who called Isaiah has now called His descendant to witness Christ to all nations in the last days.These first twelve chapters of Isaiah contain some of the most powerful doctrines in all scripture:Latter‑day Saint Themes in Isaiah 1–12Isaiah 2 — The prophecy of “the mountain of the Lord's house” points directly to the Salt Lake Temple, an ensign to all nations.Isaiah 5 & 11 — Ensigns of the Restoration, the gathering of Israel, and the rise of latter‑day prophets and apostles.Isaiah 1–12 — A sweeping witness of Jesus Christ, including:The cleansing power of repentance (Isaiah 1:18)“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9)The Rod of Jesse and the millennial reign (Isaiah 11)The song of salvation (Isaiah 12)Isaiah's voice echoes through the ages — and through his descendant, Apostle of Jesus Christ D. Todd Harrison — testifying of Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel."I testify as a direct witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He is ALIVE!In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."The Apostle D. Todd HarrisonDirect Apostle of Jesus Christ Called directly by the Lord Himself through divine revelation and commissioning, following His New Testament pattern of calling apostles as He did with the Twelve and with Paul, and sending them to all nations(Galatians 1:1; Acts 26:13–20)“Not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.”— Galatians 1:1Set apart by the Lord according to the ancient scriptural patternFollowing many years of apostolic calling and increasing service, now in the Seventh Year of Global Apostolic MinistryHonoring the sacred stewardship of the First Presidency in their inspired callings to the Church, while fulfilling the Lord's commission as a Direct Apostle of Jesus Christ to All NationsPaul — Apostle to the Nations/Gentiles (Galatians 2:7; Romans 11:13)John — Apostle to the Nations (D&C 7)The Twelve — Church Stewardship (D&C 107)This video was originally presented on 09/09/2022. Future lessons will elaborate even further on these important doctrines.

Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveWould you take the job you're offering your own technicians? Could a candidate's spouse be the real decision maker in your next hire, and do you know what she needs to hear?Hunt Demarest sits down with Sam Freeman and Lisa Coyle from Promotive, the recruiting firm that places technicians, service advisors, and shop managers across the country, to talk about why so many good candidates never make it past the first ninety days, and why so many good shops can't fill a seat no matter how much they raise pay. Lisa and Sam walk through the data points that predict a bad hire before it happens, why flat rate is becoming a harder sell with both technicians and consumers, and why one in three shops is losing candidates over a benefits package that just isn't competitive. They also dig into the stat driving a lot of the industry's anxiety right now: seventy percent of people who take their first automotive job leave the trade within twelve months and never come back.Whether you're struggling to fill a single bay or running a shop with a full crew, this episode is a reality check on what candidates are actually evaluating when they walk through your door, and what you can control when the market itself is working against you.What You'll Learn...00:10 Meet Sam and Lisa from Promotive02:40 The 58% red flag before day one04:02 The three-benefit tipping point07:16 The case for hybrid pay over flat rate11:16 What top techs ask before they say yes16:53 Why 70% quit the trade and never look back22:29 Everybody wants an A-tech, nobody wants to build one26:23 The licensing trap costing shops candidates32:46 Building the bench before you need it40:33 Inside Promotive's portal, pricing, and guarantee47:31 Your team is your best billboardThanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comGet the FREE 2026 Auto Shop Benchmark Report: https://hubs.ly/Q04j-grh0Download a Copy of My Books Here:Beyond the Bays: A Financial Playbook for Auto Repair Shop OwnersWrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download the ARPN APP for your smartphone and listen to all our network shows: arpn.appRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionAutomotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

This episode of the Armed Forces & Society AI podcast series is a conversational-style AI summary of David R. Segal, Theodore P. Furukawa, and Jerry C. Lindh's article entitled, 'Light Infantry as Peacekeepers in the Sinai'. All podcasts, videos, and content listed below are AI-generated adaptations of scholarly articles originally published in Armed Forces & Society. These derivative products are intended solely as supplementary means of engaging with academic research. The content was generated using Google's NotebookLM and does not constitute an authoritative or complete representation of the original article. While care has been taken to reflect the themes and arguments of the source material, AI-generated summaries may contain omissions, simplifications, or inaccuracies. Use the original articles to verify all claims and to cite the work. The AI-generated media is not for citation. Audiences seeking a full, accurate, and nuanced understanding of the research should consult the original published work. The authors have elected to give permission for Armed Forces & Society to derive AI-generated videos and podcasts from their work. Because of the possibility for AI to misconstrue or misrepresent the author's original work, Armed Forces & Society and Sage absolve the authors from all responsibility for the AI-generated statements and inferences. All rights to the original articles and any derivative media are reserved by the authors, Armed Forces & Society, and Sage Publishing.

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledWhat if the problem with your marketing isn't your marketing?What if the phones are actually ringing, but your service advisors are letting the opportunities walk right back out the door?That's one of the big ideas we dig into with Husein Grabic, who is doing some pretty unconventional things at his three auto repair shops. Hussein is listening to new-customer phone calls, identifying the objections that are costing his shops business, training his service advisors with mock “ring ring” calls, and pushing his teams well outside their comfort zones.And the results are pretty tough to argue with.One of his shops went from about 220 cars a month to 330 in a single month, while another went from roughly 100 cars and $60,000–$70,000 in monthly revenue to 180 cars and $126,000. We also get into free inspections, price objections, appointment-setting, active deliveries, reviews, customer retention, and what Hussein calls “auto hospitality.”Some of this will probably make you uncomfortable. Good.If you're a shop owner who wants to get more out of the marketing dollars you're already spending, this conversation is packed with ideas worth testing in your own shop.Listen to the full episode and see what happens when you stop assuming your team is doing everything right and start listening to what's actually happening on the phones.Show Notes with TimestampsIntroduction to Husein Grabic (00:00:19) The hosts introduce their guest, Husein Grabic, who manages multiple auto care shops and implements innovative marketing and service strategies.The Importance of Listening to Phone Calls (00:02:29) Husein explains his practice of listening to every new customer phone call to identify and overcome common objections like price.The Free Inspection Strategy (00:04:44) Discussion on the controversial but effective strategy of offering free inspections to get new customers through the door and increase volume.Auto Hospitality and Its Influences (00:06:22) Husein coins the term "auto hospitality" and credits industry leaders like Todd Hayes and Aaron Stokes for influencing his approach.Overcoming Team Resistance (00:08:56) Husein shares how he proved the value of his new strategies to a hesitant team, resulting in significant growth.Pushing the Team's Limits (00:10:10) A story about intentionally overloading a shop with appointments to show the team their true capacity and boost their confidence.High-Energy Phone Calls and "Ring Ring" Training (00:15:44) Husein describes using mock phone calls, inspired by Aaron Stokes, to train service advisors on energy and overcoming objections.Improving Phone Call Close Ratios (00:18:04) By analyzing phone calls, Husein discovered they weren't dead, just poorly handled, and improved the closing rate from 8% to 30%.The Unique Customer Experience (00:23:18) The conversation shifts to the customer's perspective, emphasizing how a positive phone interaction can overcome their initial frustration and anxiety.Simplifying the Phone Call Process (00:25:18) Husein's strategy to shorten phone calls and increase efficiency by focusing on simply getting the customer to bring their car in.Customer Retention with Vouchers and Stamp Cards (00:28:10) Exploring ideas like oil change stamp cards and car wash vouchers to incentivize repeat business and enhance the customer experience.The Active Delivery Process for Reviews (00:33:56) Husein details his dealership-style active delivery process, which involves personally reviewing the work with customers to encourage positive online reviews.The Power of Using a Customer's Name (00:35:23) The importance of using a customer's first name from the initial call to build rapport and create a welcoming experience.Podcast Wrap-up and Final Tip (00:39:01) The hosts thank Husein for his insights, and he recommends the phone system Octa-Rocket for shops struggling with phone calls.How To Get In TouchJoin The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on FacebookMeet The ProsFollow SMP on FacebookFollow SMP on InstagramGet The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Unreasonable Hospitality — Will GuidaraThanks to our Partner, AppFueledAppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download Our Free Mobile Podcast App: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Storytelling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Automotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Quantum Physics and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Betches senior video producers Tess Tregellas and Madeline Mahoney reveal how they transformed a viral social media premise into their flagship scripted comedy series Sisters. They outline the operational mechanics of building an in-house creator studio, maintaining a sponsor-free first season to protect brand voice, and driving multi-platform distribution completely organically.Key Highlights

This week, Tommy is joined by James “Murr” Murray, one of the funniest and most beloved comedians in the world. Audiences fell in love with Murr on the hit series Impractical Jokers, where he and his lifelong friends challenge one another to pull outrageous pranks and embarrass themselves in front of unsuspecting strangers. Now, Murr is flexing his horror muscles as the co-writer and producer of Don’t Move, the new movie based on his bestselling book of the same name. In this episode, Murr opens up about one of the most surprising parts of being a comedian, whether he ever gets tired of being the funny guy, and if any part of Impractical Jokers is staged. He also takes Tommy behind the scenes of what it really takes to bring the show to life, reveals which outrageous moments remain his favorites, explains why the group keeps politics out of its comedy, and shares why wearable technology gives him so much anxiety. Murr also discusses his journey into writing nine horror novels, adapting Don’t Move for the screen, and refusing to wait for someone else to give him permission to make the movie. He shares how he created the opportunity himself, names the one horror film he could watch for the rest of his life, and teases what audiences can expect from future seasons of Impractical Jokers. Murr also reflects on scaling the Empire State Building and opens up about one of the most difficult decisions of his life while his father was dying from Alzheimer’s disease. And don’t miss Murr’s rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, part two of this conversation, dropping Thursday, September 17! Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before. Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny Follow us on socials! Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover why “doing great work and waiting for the phone to ring” is no longer enough for lawyers—and how problem‑focused, education-based marketing can turn unaware prospects into your best clients. In this episode, you'll learn how to stand out in the attention economy by marketing the problems your clients actually feel, not just the services you offer. In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Jan Roos discuss:From lead generation to demand generation in legalUnaware vs. aware markets and client educationUsing problem-focused messaging that convertsContent, thought leadership, and the attention economyNetworking strategically and leveling up your rooms Key Takeaways:Relying only on referrals and waiting for clients to “eventually call” is a maintenance strategy, not a growth strategy, especially as competition and noise increase.The biggest opportunity in many legal practice areas lies with “unaware” or misinformed prospects who don't yet realize they have a legal problem—or that a solution even exists.Marketing works best when it starts by clearly naming and amplifying the client's problem; once people recognize themselves in that problem, the natural next step is to seek a solution.Giving away generous education rarely replaces the need for an expert; instead, it demonstrates complexity, builds trust, and often increases the quality and value of matters that reach the firm.Networking is incredibly powerful when done in the right rooms with higher-level peers and connectors, but can become a time drain when spent with people who have lots of time yet little strategic value. "The thing that will differentiate you more than ChatGPT, let alone any other attorney, is asking people a question that they don't have the answer to, and showing them that the base of knowledge is bigger than they understand." — Jan Roos Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again. Join the Be That Lawyer Community and connect with ambitious lawyers who are serious about growing their book of business, strengthening their brand, and becoming confident, consistent rainmakers. Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don't miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/ Thank you to our sponsors!LEX Reception: https://www.lexreception.com/partners/bethatlawyerRankings.io: https://rankings.io/Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Jan Roos: Jan Roos is the Founder and CEO of CaseFuel, a legal marketing agency that specializes in helping law firms scale their client acquisition through digital advertising, conversion rate optimization, and automated intake systems. An authority on legal digital marketing, he has designed client generation campaigns for over 500 law firms across diverse practice areas. He is also an author and speaker whose works include The Legal Marketing Fastlane and Beyond Intake, providing actionable strategies to help law firm owners maximize lead conversion and grow their practices efficiently. Connect with Jan Roos: Website: https://casefuel.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casefuel0/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/casefuel0 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/casefuel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@casefuel0 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@casefuel Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

No, not that Runner. That is The Runner, and it stars Gal Gadot. This Runner stars Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson. This is definitely going to help this week’s episode of the podcast stand out when a movie that was universally panned has an almost identical title to an action comedy starring the lead of Reacher. Listen to what Kyle thought of “Runner” on this week’s episode. The post Why ‘Runner’ Starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson Surprises Audiences appeared first on Multiverse Of Color.

Send me feedback!Adding a few thoughts about the recent debate between Candace Owens and Andrew Wilson on the Patrick Bet David podcast. Audiences need to be tougher on debate candidates.Candidate BookingSUPPORT THE SHOWGet a 10% discount by using the code LibertyDad at Black Guns Matter shop. OR, use the referral linkFIND ME ELSEWHERESupport the show

Why should an experienced professional be paid less simply because they can solve a problem faster?In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Chris Cotton explains why value should be based on expertise and results—not just the number of minutes a task takes. A coaching lesson might take 40 minutes to deliver, but it can contain knowledge that took 35 years to develop. The same is true for automotive technicians: customers aren't merely paying for the time spent turning a wrench; they're paying for accurate diagnosis, professional judgment, and a dependable result.Chris also challenges shop owners to turn what they learn into repeatable processes, teach those processes to their teams, implement them, and then move on to the next improvement.Plus, hear how Shop Marketing Pros applies professional expertise to take the guesswork out of shop marketing.If you love Autofix Auto Shop Coaching, learn about our new partnership with ADP payroll services and fill out the short form here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QMmq5kch3mAutofix Auto Shop Coaching + ADP — Fill out the formYou're Paid for the Years, Not the MinutesIn this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Chris Cotton discusses why skilled professionals should be compensated for their expertise and the results they create—not solely for the time a task takes.A business-coaching lesson might be delivered in 40 minutes, but it can represent 35 years of experience. That accumulated knowledge gives a shop owner a shortcut: learn a proven process, teach it to the staff, implement it during the week, and then move on to the next improvement.The same principle applies to automotive technicians. An experienced technician may diagnose or repair a vehicle faster precisely because of years of training, practice, tool investment, and real-world problem-solving. The customer isn't simply purchasing minutes; the customer is purchasing an accurate diagnosis, a professional repair, and confidence in the result.In this episodeWhy faster work is not necessarily easier workThe difference between selling time and creating valueWhy a shortcut can eliminate trial and error without cutting cornersHow coaching compresses decades of lessons into actionable guidanceWhy customers benefit from a technician's accumulated experienceHow to turn knowledge into a repeatable shop processWhy implementation—not information—changes a businessHow Shop Marketing Pros helps take the guesswork out of marketingA simple challenge for teaching and implementing one new process this weekThis week's challengeChoose one valuable lesson that currently lives only inside your head. Turn it into a clear process, teach it to your team, implement it in the shop, reinforce it, and then move on to the next improvement.Shop Marketing ProsProfessional marketing works much like professional automotive service or coaching: the value is not limited to the time spent completing a task. Shop owners benefit from the experience, judgment, and proven strategies behind that work. Shop Marketing Pros helps take the guesswork out of marketing so owners can remain focused on running their shops.Autofix Auto Shop Coaching + ADPIf you love Autofix Auto Shop Coaching, check out our new partnership with ADP payroll services.Autofix Auto Shop Coaching + ADP — Fill out the form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QMmq5kch3mThe Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/If you would like to join their private Facebook Group, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermindConnect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: chris@autofixsos.comThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionDiagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

This week in the business of podcasting:New Sounds Profitable data shows the smart TV has overtaken the smart speaker as a top device for podcast listening, with Tom Webster arguing audiences increasingly treat podcasts as foreground viewing rather than background audio.The IAB raised its 2026 U.S. ad market forecast to 12.3 percent, with podcast advertising expected to grow 8.7 percent and outpace other digital audio formats.Scalable examines the wave of executive departures at creator-founded companies like Dude Perfect, Audiochuck, and Good Good Golf, and what those exits reveal about scaling creator-led businesses.True Native Media's Sabrina Nelson makes the case that podcasters do not need to be on every platform to grow, and should focus their time where it actually moves the needle.To find links to these, and every article covered in this week's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

This week in the business of podcasting:New Sounds Profitable data shows the smart TV has overtaken the smart speaker as a top device for podcast listening, with Tom Webster arguing audiences increasingly treat podcasts as foreground viewing rather than background audio.The IAB raised its 2026 U.S. ad market forecast to 12.3 percent, with podcast advertising expected to grow 8.7 percent and outpace other digital audio formats.Scalable examines the wave of executive departures at creator-founded companies like Dude Perfect, Audiochuck, and Good Good Golf, and what those exits reveal about scaling creator-led businesses.True Native Media's Sabrina Nelson makes the case that podcasters do not need to be on every platform to grow, and should focus their time where it actually moves the needle.To find links to these, and every article covered in this week's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

One of those five new faces is Cape Town-based content creator and influencer Keenan Collison, who successfully pitched his way into the SK Squad during the live final in Johannesburg. John Maytham speaks to Keenan about what it was like competing against 10 finalists, what he pitched to the judging panel, his passion for cinema and content creation, and what it means to now become one of the five creators representing Ster-Kinekor and connecting with movie audiences across TikTok. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Nneka Oluoha is a Nigerian American physician, novelist, and speaker whose work explores the intersection of mental health, culture, family, immigration, faith, and resilience. Drawing from her experience in medicine and her passion for storytelling, she helps audiences better understand the hidden emotional struggles people often carry behind outward success She is the author of Live for Me, Nkem, a literary novel that examines depression, marriage, motherhood, family relationships, and the immigrant experience through a deeply human story. Her work encourages honest conversations about mental health while exploring how culture, identity, and family expectations shape the way we experience emotional pain and healing.Born and raised in Nigeria before immigrating to the United States, Dr. Oluoha offers a unique perspective on navigating two cultures, balancing tradition with personal identity, and fostering empathy across different communities.Whether discussing mental health, medicine, writing, culture, or the creative process, she brings the insight of a physician and the heart of a storyteller. Audiences leave with a deeper understanding of mental health, renewed compassion for others, and practical insights into how stories can break stigma, build empathy, and inspire meaningful conversations.

Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveDo you actually know your break-even point, or just a number that feels close enough? And if you hit it, would you even know why?This week's episode started with a phone call. Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, was walking a client through his numbers through July when he realized something: most shop owners can eyeball their break-even point, but almost none of them understand what's actually driving it. Hunt breaks down the fastest way to find your break-even using your own monthly financials, why a sales target is really just a stand-in for what you actually need (gross profit), and how to turn that number into real targets for cars, hours, and average repair order that your team can actually use. He also tackles the messy middle ground of cost of goods sold versus overhead, and why the math works out the same either way as long as you're consistent.Whether you've never once run this calculation for your shop or you set your break-even years ago and haven't touched it since, this episode is a practical field guide to knowing the one number that tells you if your shop is actually working.What You'll Learn…(00:00) Intro(00:44) Housekeeping: the book, the sponsors, and how to ask Hunt anything(02:48) The client call that inspired this episode(03:14) The fastest way to find your break-even: your own monthly numbers(04:43) The reality check: making sure it's a true break-even month(05:53) Sales targets vs. what your team actually needs to hear(07:33) Cost of goods sold vs. overhead: the literal breakdown(11:21) Building your gross profit target from three financial categories(16:25) The margin math: why 50% gross profit beats 30%, every time(17:45) The revolving cycle: why this number needs regular updatesThanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comGet the FREE 2026 Auto Shop Benchmark Report: https://hubs.ly/Q04j-grh0Download a Copy of My Books Here:Beyond the Bays: A Financial Playbook for Auto Repair Shop OwnersWrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download the ARPN APP for your smartphone and listen to all our network shows: arpn.appRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionAutomotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Hiring a keynote speaker can be one of the most important decisions an organization makes when planning a convention, conference, leadership meeting, or company event. The right speaker can reinforce business priorities, create meaningful connections with the audience, and give attendees ideas they can actually put to work. The wrong speaker can consume valuable agenda time without creating much value at all. That distinction becomes even more important when organizations consider the total investment involved in bringing people together. Attendees may be stepping away from their businesses, traveling, paying for hotels, and giving up several days of productive time. The organization itself is investing in venues, production, food, travel, staff, programming, and countless other details. With that much at stake, hiring a keynote speaker should not begin with a demo video, celebrity name, or speaking fee. It should begin with a much more important question: What does the organization want the audience to think, feel, understand, or do differently when they leave? Katrina Mitchell, Founder and Chief Matchmaker at Franchise Speakers, has spent more than 17 years helping franchise organizations answer that question and match outside speakers with their audiences, cultures, objectives, and investment levels. Her experience as a former franchisee gives her an additional perspective on what franchise owners need from the limited time they spend together at conventions and meetings. For meeting planners and business leaders, her approach offers a valuable reminder. Hiring a keynote speaker is not about filling an hour on an agenda. It is about making that hour contribute to the larger purpose of the event. Start With the Business Outcome, Not the Speaker One of the easiest mistakes when hiring a keynote speaker is beginning the search too early. A planning committee decides it needs a speaker, starts watching videos, asks colleagues for recommendations, or begins searching for recognizable names. Before long, the selection process becomes focused on personalities rather than outcomes. Mitchell recommends approaching the decision from the opposite direction. "Start with the end in mind." Imagine the audience walking out of the ballroom after the presentation. What transformation should have taken place? What should attendees understand that they did not understand before? What action should they be prepared to take? How should the presentation support the broader goals of the organization? Those questions help turn a vague request into a meaningful speaker specification. An organization may initially say it wants someone who can motivate the audience. Motivation, however, is difficult to connect to a specific business result. Digging deeper may reveal that the real objective is improving leadership, increasing local marketing activity, strengthening customer experience, building better teams, improving franchise relationships, or reinforcing the company's culture. The same principle applies outside franchising. A sales organization may need its people to adopt a different approach to prospecting. A leadership conference may need managers to improve accountability. A company navigating rapid technological change may need employees to understand how AI affects their roles without losing sight of the importance of human relationships. Once the desired outcome is clear, the search for a keynote speaker becomes considerably more focused. This is also why the most entertaining speaker is not automatically the best choice. Celebrity can bring recognition and excitement to an event, but recognition and business relevance are not the same thing. Mitchell challenges the assumption that a celebrity speaker will necessarily increase attendance or create greater value for franchisees. A compelling story may entertain an audience for an hour, but meeting planners should still ask what attendees will be able to do with that experience when they return to their businesses. Entertainment absolutely has a place at events. The question is whether entertainment is the objective or whether it can be combined with a meaningful message. That distinction can help organizations avoid paying for attention when what they really need is impact. Look Beyond the Demo Reel When Hiring a Keynote Speaker A polished video is useful when evaluating a speaker, but it cannot tell a meeting planner everything that matters. The person on stage represents only one part of the speaker experience. Professionalism begins long before the introduction and continues after the applause. Preparation, responsiveness, understanding of the organization, interaction with the event team, willingness to customize, reliability on site, and the ability to connect with the audience can all affect the success of the engagement. Mitchell's philosophy at Franchise Speakers reflects that broader view. Her goal is to identify the right speaker based on what she describes as the "right person, right time, right fee, right culture, right message." Culture deserves particular attention. A speaker who is highly effective for one organization may be completely wrong for another. Different audiences have different expectations, personalities, levels of experience, and relationships with their brands. A presentation that succeeds with corporate executives may not connect the same way with franchise owners. A speaker accustomed to entrepreneurial audiences may need a different approach when addressing frontline managers or employees. Industry understanding can matter as well. Mitchell emphasizes that franchise audiences are not simply generic groups of entrepreneurs. Franchisees operate within a specific business model involving brand standards, systems, franchisor relationships, local execution, and shared responsibilities. A speaker who understands those dynamics can frame ideas in ways that are more relevant to the audience. That does not mean every speaker must spend an entire career in the industry. It does mean meeting planners should evaluate whether the speaker is willing and able to understand the audience they are being hired to serve. Customization is part of that evaluation. A strong professional speaker should understand the organization's objectives, terminology, challenges, and priorities. Listening to executive presentations, speaking with leadership before the event, understanding the conference theme, and incorporating relevant examples can make a keynote feel like part of the event rather than a presentation that could have been delivered anywhere. The speaker's attitude toward service matters, too. Mitchell developed what Franchise Speakers calls its "No Diva" philosophy after an experience with a speaker who created problems for a client before ever stepping onto the stage. Her distinction is simple: some speakers arrive primarily to serve the audience, while others are primarily interested in being the center of attention. A meeting planner should be evaluating both. A speaker can have excellent stagecraft and still make life unnecessarily difficult for the event team. The best engagements happen when professionalism offstage matches performance onstage. Treat the Keynote as an Investment in the Event Speaking fees inevitably become part of the selection process. They should not, however, be evaluated in isolation. The least expensive speaker is not necessarily the best value, just as the highest-priced speaker is not automatically the most effective. The better question is what the organization expects its investment to accomplish. Consider the total economics of a major convention. Hundreds or thousands of people may be traveling to one location. The company may have a limited number of hours to reconnect attendees with the organization, strengthen relationships, communicate its vision, provide business education, and create an experience people believe was worth leaving their businesses to attend. Mitchell describes convention time as "precious," particularly within franchise systems. In her view, one of the opportunities created by bringing franchisees together is helping them reconnect with the brand and with one another. That makes every hour on the agenda valuable real estate. A keynote should therefore connect to the larger event rather than exist as an isolated attraction. If leadership is emphasizing a strategic priority, the outside speaker can reinforce it from a different perspective. If franchise owners are facing a common business challenge, the speaker can provide frameworks or tools that help them address it. If an organization wants to create stronger alignment, the presentation can support language and ideas that continue throughout the conference. Mitchell points to one indicator of a successful presentation: people continue referencing the speaker's message later in the event. The ideas have moved beyond the stage and become part of hallway conversations, meetings, and discussions among attendees. That is a considerably higher standard than whether the audience applauded. It also creates a different way to think about return on investment. Event organizers can use surveys and attendee feedback, but they can also consider whether the speaker's ideas are being retained and applied. Did the presentation support the organization's priorities? Did attendees receive something useful? Are leaders able to reinforce the message after everyone goes home? One of Mitchell's strongest recommendations is to avoid overwhelming people with information simply because there is time available to present it. A speaker who provides one, three, or a handful of useful ideas that people actually implement may create more value than someone who races through dozens of concepts. That principle has become even more important as information itself becomes easier to obtain. In an AI World, the Human Experience Matters More The role of a keynote speaker is changing because access to information has changed. Audiences no longer need to attend a conference simply to receive facts they could find through an online search or an AI platform. If a presentation consists entirely of information that attendees could generate for themselves in a few minutes, its value becomes increasingly difficult to justify. Live events offer something technology cannot easily replicate: a shared human experience. Stories, emotion, interaction, context, credibility, humor, and the energy created when people experience an idea together can make information memorable. A talented keynote speaker does not simply transfer knowledge. The speaker helps the audience connect that knowledge to their own circumstances and gives them a reason to act on it. That does not make technology irrelevant. Quite the opposite. AI is affecting virtually every area of business, and speakers need to understand how those changes intersect with their expertise. But Mitchell cautions against treating AI as a replacement for meaningful human relationships. She argues that authentic, present conversations are becoming more important as technology becomes more prevalent. The same principle should influence how organizations design conferences. Technology can support registration, communication, content delivery, follow-up, personalization, and countless other parts of an event. It can make the experience more efficient. The gathering itself, however, creates an opportunity for relationships and conversations that people cannot get from another automated interaction. That is why hiring a keynote speaker should involve evaluating the experience the speaker creates, not merely the information delivered. The audience should leave with something memorable enough to survive the flight home and useful enough to matter when they return to work. What to Consider Before Hiring a Keynote Speaker There is no single specification that guarantees a successful keynote. Different events require different speakers, styles, expertise, and outcomes. But the selection process becomes stronger when meeting planners evaluate the complete engagement instead of relying on a recognizable name or impressive video. Before making the decision, an organization should be able to answer five fundamental questions. First, what business outcome should the presentation support? If the desired result cannot be clearly articulated, it will be difficult to determine which speaker is best equipped to create it. Second, does the speaker understand the audience? Industry knowledge, business-model familiarity, audience demographics, organizational culture, and the challenges attendees are facing can all influence whether a message connects. Third, what will attendees take home? A great story can be memorable, but the strongest business presentations give people something useful. That might be a framework, a new perspective, a tool, a process, or a specific action they can implement. Fourth, what kind of professional will the organization be working with? Preparation, flexibility, communication, reliability, customization, and a service mindset are part of the engagement. The experience should be positive for the people behind the scenes as well as those sitting in the audience. Finally, how does the keynote support the larger event? The best speaker choice should reinforce the purpose of the gathering rather than compete with it. Hiring a keynote speaker becomes much easier when those specifications are established before names and fees enter the conversation. The objective is not to find the most famous person, the cheapest option, or even the speaker with the most impressive demo reel. It is to identify the person who can create the right experience for that particular audience at that particular moment. For organizations investing heavily in bringing their people together, that distinction can determine whether a keynote simply fills time or becomes one of the most valuable hours of the entire event. Watch the full episode on YouTube. Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central across your favorite social media platforms and catch the replay on The Business Growth Show Podcast for more conversations with today's leading business experts, entrepreneurs, and growth-minded leaders. About Katrina Mitchell Katrina Mitchell is the Founder and Chief Matchmaker at Franchise Speakers, where she helps franchise organizations connect with franchise-savvy keynote speakers, thought leaders, subject matter experts, and business growth trainers. A former franchisee herself, Katrina brings firsthand experience with the challenges of franchise ownership, franchisee-franchisor relationships, and the importance of a strong system culture. Katrina founded Franchise Speakers in 2008 and has spent more than 17 years matching franchise brands with outside talent based on their audience, culture, business objectives, and desired outcomes. Known as a natural connector, she has built her business around helping franchise organizations create greater value from their conventions and events by finding the right speaker for the right opportunity. About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has generated more than a billion dollars in sales worldwide by helping businesses attract loyal customers, increase visibility, and accelerate growth. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored eleven books, earned three U.S. patents, and advised organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. A recognized expert in business growth, customer acquisition, leadership, franchising, marketing, and AI-driven business strategies, Ford helps business owners and leaders identify opportunities, improve performance, and achieve sustainable results. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch Fordify LIVE at Fordify.tv.

WWE Working With Disney To Bring Their Audiences Together https://whatsondisneyplus.com/wwe-working-with-disney-to-bring-their-audiences-together/ #disneyplus     VISIT ONLINE -  http://www.WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting me by becoming a YouTube Channel Member for as little as $5 a month and get access to exclusive content and much more.   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99lFugkkvslALTl_RLVn_Q/join FOLLOW ON TWITTER -   http://Twitter.com/DisneyPlusNews   FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM -   http://instagram.com/WhatsOnDisneyPlus LIKE ON FACEBOOK -  http://facebook.com/WhatsOnDisneyPlus

WWE Working With Disney To Bring Their Audiences Together https://whatsondisneyplus.com/wwe-working-with-disney-to-bring-their-audiences-together/ #disneyplus     VISIT ONLINE -  http://www.WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting me by becoming a YouTube Channel Member for as little as $5 a month and get access to exclusive content and much more.   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99lFugkkvslALTl_RLVn_Q/join FOLLOW ON TWITTER -   http://Twitter.com/DisneyPlusNews   FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM -   http://instagram.com/WhatsOnDisneyPlus LIKE ON FACEBOOK -  http://facebook.com/WhatsOnDisneyPlus

WWE Working With Disney To Bring Their Audiences Together https://whatsondisneyplus.com/wwe-working-with-disney-to-bring-their-audiences-together/ #disneyplus     VISIT ONLINE -  http://www.WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting me by becoming a YouTube Channel Member for as little as $5 a month and get access to exclusive content and much more.   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99lFugkkvslALTl_RLVn_Q/join FOLLOW ON TWITTER -   http://Twitter.com/DisneyPlusNews   FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM -   http://instagram.com/WhatsOnDisneyPlus LIKE ON FACEBOOK -  http://facebook.com/WhatsOnDisneyPlus

This episode of the Armed Forces & Society AI podcast series is a conversational-style AI summary of Aurel Croissant's article entitled, 'Riding the Tiger: Civilian Control and the Military in Democratizing Korea'. All podcasts, videos, and content listed below are AI-generated adaptations of scholarly articles originally published in Armed Forces & Society. These derivative products are intended solely as supplementary means of engaging with academic research. The content was generated using Google's NotebookLM and does not constitute an authoritative or complete representation of the original article. While care has been taken to reflect the themes and arguments of the source material, AI-generated summaries may contain omissions, simplifications, or inaccuracies. Use the original articles to verify all claims and to cite the work. The AI-generated media is not for citation. Audiences seeking a full, accurate, and nuanced understanding of the research should consult the original published work. The authors have elected to give permission for Armed Forces & Society to derive AI-generated videos and podcasts from their work. Because of the possibility for AI to misconstrue or misrepresent the author's original work, Armed Forces & Society and Sage absolve the authors from all responsibility for the AI-generated statements and inferences. All rights to the original articles and any derivative media are reserved by the authors, Armed Forces & Society, and Sage Publishing.

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledThe world is churning. Business is changing. Car counts are down for a lot of shops, customers are feeling the squeeze, and it seems like everybody is getting kicked while they're down.But here's the thing: none of that is an excuse.In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker and Chris Cotton talk about what it really means to operate your shop when things get slow. They talk about planning for predictable slow periods, making the most of every car that comes through the door, increasing your ARO, building relationship “coins” with your customers, and why having enough service advisors can make a bigger difference than you might think.They also get into something every shop owner needs to hear: slow times are a great opportunity to fix broken processes, improve your customer experience, and double down while your competition is laying down.You may not be able to control what's happening in the world. You can control what you do about it.Give this episode a listen and find out how to turn a slow season into an opportunity to separate your shop from the competition.Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)The Weekly Blitz PodcastChris CottonSimon SinekAutoFix Auto Shop CoachingThanks to our Partner, AppFueledAppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download Our Free Mobile Podcast App: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Storytelling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Automotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Quantum Physics and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Filmmakers, welcome back to the pod! Today we are stripping away the craft and diving headfirst into the absolute engine room of our industry: The Business of Film. Giles Alderson is joined by a massive powerhouse panel to dissect the current state of the market, the realities of raising cash, and how to actually get your indie film seen and sold. We have data guru Stephen Follows, brilliant producers Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar and Dom Lenoir and fantastic indie directors Hilary Shakespeare and Conor Boru. Grab your notepads, because we are laying out the hard truths and actionable tactics you need to survive in this shifting landscape. The Data Paradox & The UK Indie Market Total UK spend across film and high-end TV plummeted by £2.7 billion in the first half of 2026. However, independent film sector spend has actually surged by 20%. Inward investment makes up about 90% of UK spend, meaning a massive amount of IP and value leaves the UK post-production. Budget pressures are fierce, with producers squeezed to keep indie budgets under £1-1.5 million to stand a real chance of recoupment. Sales agents warn that budgets higher than this rarely break even unless the film becomes an unexpected, massive hit. There is a serious contraction in the labour market, causing mid-to-high level crew to take lower-tier jobs or leave the industry completely. Distribution & Sales Strategies Only 10.8% of released fiction feature films on IMDb actually secure a professional sales agent. Including a reputable sales agent in your pitch deck is vital to make a project appear "safe" to equity investors. Pre-sales (Minimum Guarantees) are smaller nowadays but remain a crucial tool to secure investor confidence. Audiences are exhausted by algorithm-driven "soulless content" and are actively rewarding original, authentic cinema. Theatrical Release Tactics Cinemas frequently dump indie films into terrible time slots, like Tuesday afternoons, until the film proves it can pull an audience. If an indie film succeeds in those early slots, it can trigger better programming and longer runs. Major cinema chains often hit filmmakers with hidden costs, charging extra to place lobby posters or feature the film in their digital newsletters. Preview screenings are incredibly valuable because their ticket figures feed directly into the official opening weekend box office numbers. Targeting specific local cinemas relevant to the film's setting can generate much more profitable, sustained runs. Box Office Reality Check Spider-Man: Brand New Day is dominating the North American box office with a massive $900 million. Original indie films are absolutely breaking through, with Obsession taking 7th place at $263 million and Backrooms sitting in 9th place at $197 million.

ATypI 2026 Stanford 系列访谈第六期，李少波老师与设计师林芳平将分享各自在大会上的演讲主题，在认知科学、视觉文化、功能、审美等多个交叉领域，为我们提供了研究及分析中文字体设计的视角。 参考链接 “Function is the foundation of type design”，李少波在 ATypI 2026 Stanford 的演讲 李少波曾主持国产大飞机驾驶舱显示字体设计项目 第七届方正奖中设立了「中国教科书体」的主题竞赛单元 “Bridging Scripts: Communicating the Aesthetic of Hanzi to Latin-based Audiences”，林芳平在 ATypI 2026 Stanford 的演讲 激燃体，林芳平设计的中文字体，justfont 出品 Nat McCully：毕业于芝加哥大学日本美术史专业。曾在 Apple、Adobe 推动日文正文排版相关的工作，主导 Adobe InDesign 日文版的工程开发；长期活跃于 W3C CSS 工作组，参与 W3C《日文排版需求》的编辑工作 Inter-linguistic Typographic Harmonization，Nat McCully 在 ATypI 2026 Stanford 的演讲 嘉宾 李少波：湖南师范大学美术学院院长、教授、博士生导师 林芳平：平面设计师、字体设计师 主播 Eric：字体排印研究者、译者，The Type 执行编辑 欢迎与我们交流或反馈，来信请致 podcast@thetype.com​。如果你喜爱本期节目，也欢迎用支付宝向我们捐赠：hello@thetype.com​。

Hope is powerful—but hope alone won't fix your business.In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Chris Cotton dedicates a direct and personal conversation to his friend and former client, Rich Young. Chris explains why “hope is not a strategy” and connects that lesson to the Cotton family motto: “Have a plan and execute the plan.”Chris also speaks candidly to struggling shop owners about taking responsibility, setting pride aside, and asking for help before another six months of valuable time and momentum disappear.Plus, learn about the new partnership between AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching and ADP and the exclusive savings available to eligible AutoFix members.HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY: HAVE A PLAN AND EXECUTE THE PLANThis episode of The Weekly Blitz is dedicated to Chris Cotton's friend and former client, Rich Young.Hope gives us something to believe in, but it cannot replace a real plan. Hoping for more customers isn't a marketing strategy. Hoping to find a technician isn't a recruiting plan. Hoping profitability improves won't fix a shop's financial problems.Results require a plan—and the willingness to execute it.In this episode, Chris discusses:Why hope is important but cannot serve as a business strategyThe danger of waiting for problems to fix themselvesWhy shop owners must take responsibility for their next moveHow pride can prevent owners from asking for helpWhy waiting another six months can cost valuable time, profit, and momentumThe difference between a business problem and its symptomsHow to build an actionable plan around ownership, deadlines, and measurable resultsThe Cotton family motto: “Have a plan and execute the plan”Why an imperfect plan put into action is better than a perfect plan that never beginsA MESSAGE TO STRUGGLING SHOP OWNERSIf your shop is struggling, you do not have to continue struggling alone.Not every problem is your fault, but as the owner, you are responsible for how you respond. Help is only a phone call or click away.Set aside your pride, get out of your own head, and reach out to someone. If that's AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching, we would be honored to help. If it's someone else, that's okay too.What matters is recognizing when your current approach isn't working and taking action now. Don't sacrifice another six months waiting to begin.THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHOP MARKETING PROSIf your marketing strategy is “hope the phone rings,” it's time to build a better plan.Shop Marketing Pros helps independent repair shops approach their marketing with purpose and consistency. Stop waiting for customers to find your shop by accident.Learn more: https://shopmarketingpros.comAUTOFIX AUTO SHOP COACHING × ADPAutoFix Auto Shop Coaching has partnered with ADP to give eligible AutoFix members access to preferred promotions on payroll, HR, compliance, and workforce solutions.This partnership is backed by firsthand experience. Chris owns AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching and three repair shops—and believes in ADP enough that he switched all of his businesses over to ADP.Eligible AutoFix members may receive:A 20% lifetime discount on eligible ADP servicesWaived setup feesUp to six months of free payroll, depending on eligibilityPreferred pricing on HR, compliance, and benefits solutionsADP's available services include:Payroll for hourly, salaried, seasonal, and split-shift employeesFederal, state, and local payroll tax filingHR and compliance supportHiring and electronic onboarding toolsBackground checks and an employee handbook builderEmployee benefits and deduction managementPay-as-you-go workers' compensation optionsR&D tax-credit solutionsTools and services designed to support growing teamsCheck your eligibility and connect with the dedicated ADP partner:https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QMmq5kch3mKEEP LISTENINGDiscover more great automotive podcasts, industry insights, and practical business conversations from the Automotive Repair Podcast Network.If this episode made you think of another shop owner who needs to hear its message, send it to them.Have a plan. Execute the plan. And remember: hope is not a strategy.The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/If you would like to join their private Facebook Group, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermindConnect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: chris@autofixsos.comThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionDiagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveAre you accidentally paying taxes on money you're never actually going to collect? Could the way you're deleting a bad ticket in your shop management software be costing you more than the deadbeat customer ever did?This week's episode started as a text message. Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, answers a question from fellow podcaster Chris Cotton of AutoFix Shop Coaching and The Weekly Blitz: how should shops actually handle bad debt? Hunt breaks it down from the ground up, what bad debt is, how cash versus accrual accounting changes the math, and why deleting or discounting a ticket instead of writing it off properly can quietly inflate your tax bill and hide real problems in your production numbers. He walks through the exact steps for building a "bad debt" payment type into your shop management software, how to automate the accounting through Back Office and Accounting Link (or handle it manually with a journal entry), and where chargebacks, bartering, and shop vehicles fit into the picture.Whether you've never had a customer stiff you or you're staring down an invoice right now that you know you'll never collect, this episode is a practical field guide to keeping your books, and your tax bill, accurate.Thanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comGet the FREE 2026 Auto Shop Benchmark Report: https://hubs.ly/Q04j-grh0Download a Copy of My Books Here:Beyond the Bays: A Financial Playbook for Auto Repair Shop OwnersWrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download the ARPN APP for your smartphone and listen to all our network shows: arpn.appRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionAutomotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Mastering business growth strategies isn't about spending more on ads; it is about accessing the right databases.Most entrepreneurs think they need to hire more sales staff or pump cash into social media campaigns to see real results. This approach often leads to burnout and high overhead costs. Instead, you can bypass the friction of cold customer acquisition by partnering with entities that already serve your ideal client.When you leverage existing databases, you stop chasing cold leads and start focusing on warm, trusted connections. It is the fastest way to scale a business without increasing your headcount. This type of strategic collaboration is the key to sustainable expansion.Subscribe for more practical business growth strategies, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Build a Business That Gives You More Time, Money & Life: Get The $100M Playbook: https://go.bradsugars.com/100m-playbook-ebook

This episode of the Armed Forces & Society AI podcast series is a conversational-style AI summary of Jeffrey W. Lucas, Paul J. Hanges, Kelly Beavan, Jordan Epistola, Emily Forgo, and Debra L. Shapiro's article entitled, 'Perceptions of Espoused Versus Enacted Culture Around Sexual Misconduct and Other Offenses Among U.S. Military Service Members'. All podcasts, videos, and content listed below are AI-generated adaptations of scholarly articles originally published in Armed Forces & Society. These derivative products are intended solely as supplementary means of engaging with academic research. The content was generated using Google's NotebookLM and does not constitute an authoritative or complete representation of the original article. While care has been taken to reflect the themes and arguments of the source material, AI-generated summaries may contain omissions, simplifications, or inaccuracies. Use the original articles to verify all claims and to cite the work. The AI-generated media is not for citation. Audiences seeking a full, accurate, and nuanced understanding of the research should consult the original published work. The authors have elected to give permission for Armed Forces & Society to derive AI-generated videos and podcasts from their work. Because of the possibility for AI to misconstrue or misrepresent the author's original work, Armed Forces & Society and Sage absolve the authors from all responsibility for the AI-generated statements and inferences. All rights to the original articles and any derivative media are reserved by the authors, Armed Forces & Society, and Sage Publishing.

Traditional sports broadcasts are evolving into multi-platform cultural ecosystems driven by social media, gaming metaverses, and athlete creators. NBA 2K Media CEO Andrew Perlmutter explains how media brands can build participatory off-court entertainment that converts casual viewers into lifelong fans. Key Highlights

Send us Fan MailIn the latest episode of the Exit Insights Podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by John Franklin Wiley, founder of Exit Factor Scottsdale Metro, to explore one of the most overlooked realities of selling a business:You are not only selling to the buyer. You are also selling to the person financing the buyer.Many business owners spend years thinking about how to make their company attractive to an acquirer, but they rarely consider the person who ultimately has the power to approve or reject the deal — the lender.The reality?Every buyer arrives with a lender. If the lender walks, the deal walks.The businesses that achieve successful exits are the ones that prepare years before a transaction by understanding what both audiences need to see: the buyer who wants opportunity, and the lender who wants confidence and reduced risk.Listen in as we discuss:

Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveAre you chasing being rich, or are you actually building wealth? Could the shop owner making $150,000 a year retire with more freedom than the one clearing $800,000? Hunt Demarest has seen both, and the answer might surprise you.In this solo episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, steps away from the usual business valuation talk to tackle something he says matters even more to a shop owner's future: personal finances. Drawing from a four hour class he taught at the STX Conference, Hunt breaks down why so many disciplined, profitable shop owners still end up with disorganized personal finances, and why that gap, not their business's sales or profit, is the real predictor of a happy retirement. He walks through the difference between being rich and being wealthy, tells two real client stories with opposite outcomes, and unpacks the habits, from unchecked debt to keeping up with the Joneses, that quietly derail decades of hard work.Whether you're chasing a bigger number on your P&L or wondering why your bank account never seems to reflect it, this episode is a mirror check on the financial decisions that actually determine your future.What You'll Learn…(00:00) Intro: STX Conference recap and a preview of this week's topic(03:04) Why chasing business value misses the real retirement risk(06:11) Rich versus wealthy: the distinction most shop owners get wrong(08:01) The client who went broke rich, and the one who quietly built wealth(09:29) How consistent saving beat a six figure income, a paid off real estate story(15:07) Why the market has zero interest in educating you about your money(16:47) The rat race: keeping up with the Joneses, personally and in the shop(17:40) The one number most owners can name for their business but not their life(21:08) Debt is easier than ever: the $2 million sale that couldn't cover the bills(23:11) Mortgaging your future: what really keeps shop owners working past retirement age(23:43) Closing thoughts and how to reach HuntThanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comGet the FREE 2026 Auto Shop Benchmark Report: https://hubs.ly/Q04j-grh0Download a Copy of My Books Here:Beyond the Bays: A Financial Playbook for Auto Repair Shop OwnersWrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download the ARPN APP for your smartphone and listen to all our network shows: arpn.appRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionAutomotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

On this solo episode, Stacey explores why business owners and sales professionals can have engaging, rapport-filled conversations that still fail to convert into paying clients.Key takeaways:-Audiences don't buy. Participants do.-The client's yes is almost always available.-You can't get a yes you never asked for.Tweetable Quotes:"People don't hire who's most impressive, they hire who they feel most understood by." -Stacey O'Byrne"A great conversation leaves people feeling good. A sales conversation leaves people with a decision." -Stacey O'Byrne"The objection you never heard was the one that cost you that client." -Stacey O'ByrneResources:Instagram: @pivotpointadvantageSchedule a 15 minute call with Stacey: http://pivotpointadvantage.com/talktostaceyIf you're ready to take yourself and your business to the next level and are interested in a coaching program that will get you there check out: http://pivotpointadvantage.com/iwantsuccessJoin an interactive environment to help you build the success you've always wanted with other like-minded, success-driven entrepreneurs, business owners, and sales professionals: https://facebook.com/groups/sellwithoutselling

Hollywood hated Nefarious. Critics gave it 27 percent. Audiences gave it 97 percent. And Steve Deace said he nearly died twice making it. In this episode, Lance Wallnau sits down with bestselling author and Blaze podcaster Steve Deace to talk about what really happened after Nefarious hit theaters in 2023, and why he's about to go even further with his next film. In this episode: * Why Steve says he nearly died twice, nearly divorced, and nearly went bankrupt while making Nefarious, and what he says happened on the other side of that * The real story behind the massive gap between Nefarious's 27 percent critic score and 97 percent audience score, and who Steve blames for it * Why Sean Patrick Flannery says his own Hollywood agent refuses to acknowledge he was in the film, and what happened when a major director screened it privately * The plot of Steve's new film, a redemptive supernatural thriller he describes as "the Omen meets A Christmas Carol," where the devil pitches a runaway young woman to become a demonic Mother Mary and give birth to the Antichrist * Why Steve believes storytelling, not politics, is the last place left in culture where real persuasion happens, and why he says a movie can be a bigger force multiplier than a Senate race * How Steve builds an entire script from visions he says come to him at 5 a.m., and why his son and director Damien Levett are part of the team behind this project * What it will take to finish funding the film, and how viewers can get involved Podcast Episode 2218: The Antichrist Is Coming to Hollywood? Steve Deace Reveals His Next Movie | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast

On Your World of Creativity, we explore how innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and thought leaders transform ideas into impact.Today's guest has spent three decades helping some of the world's most sophisticated science and healthcare companies answer a deceptively simple question:How do you persuade people who pride themselves on not being persuaded?Hamid Ghanadan is the founder and CEO of LINUS, a commercial strategy consultancy serving life science and healthcare innovators. A former biochemist turned strategist, Hamid has guided organizations including Twist Bioscience, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and 10x Genomics through product launches, market development, and growth initiatives.His new book, Not Buying It: The Art of Selling to Scientists, Doctors, and Other Professional Skeptics, challenges conventional thinking by arguing that even the most technical buying decisions are ultimately driven by psychology, empathy, and human behavior—not just data.Hamid 's WebsiteHamid on YouTubeHamid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hghanadan/Let's explore creativity, persuasion, science, and what it takes to influence skeptical minds.Guest BioHamid Ghanadan is the Founder and CEO of LINUS, a commercial strategy consultancy focused on life sciences, healthcare, diagnostics, medical devices, and biotechnology.Originally trained as a biochemist, Hamid became fascinated with a question that would shape his entire career:How do scientists make decisions?That curiosity led him from the laboratory into marketing, strategy, and behavioral psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has developed what he calls an Insights-Led Commercial Strategy, helping science and healthcare organizations better understand customer decision-making and create meaningful demand.His new book, Not Buying It, explores how technical professionals evaluate information, why traditional marketing often fails with scientific audiences, and how empathy becomes a competitive advantage in high-stakes commercial environments.1: From Biochemist to Behavioral StrategistHamid, one of the stories I found fascinating is that your career began in a biochemistry laboratory.You describe an early encounter watching a salesperson struggle to connect with scientists, which sparked a question that changed your professional trajectory: How do you sell to such a skeptical audience? What was it about that moment that stayed with you, and how did it eventually lead you from science into strategy?2: The Psychology Behind Technical DecisionsOne of the central themes of your book is that commercial strategy is fundamentally a game of psychology. That can sound counterintuitive in industries built on evidence, data, peer review, and rigorous analysis. Yet you argue that scientists, doctors, engineers, and other technical professionals are still human beings first. What do most companies misunderstand about how highly educated professionals actually make decisions? Why isn't more data necessarily more persuasive?3: The Soul of the BrandLet's apply my favorite framework—the Soul of the Brand. Thinking about LINUS:What is your focus?What work are you really doing?Who are you serving?What gives you credibility?What industry assumptions are you challenging?And what larger mission drives the organization?4: Persuasion, Creativity, and the Age of AIIn the book, you make an interesting observation. AI is making it easier than ever to create content, automate outreach, and scale communications. But you suggest that simply producing more content creates more noise—not more influence. As someone who studies persuasion and decision-making, what concerns you most about how organizations are currently using AI? What human skills become more valuable in an AI-enabled world?5: Unlocking Influence Through EmpathyOne of the ideas that really resonated with me is your belief that the key ingredient of an effective strategy is a unique insight into audience psychology—and that finding that insight requires empathy. For leaders, marketers, entrepreneurs, healthcare innovators, and creative professionals listening today: How can they become better observers of human behavior and uncover those insights that others miss?If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.